India sees rapid rise in swine flu deaths and cases

NEW DELHI, Feb 13 (Reuters) - India has seen a sharp rise in
the number of swine flu deaths and reported cases this year,
prompting officials to investigate the cause and step up efforts
to combat the virus.

He said more than 6,000 people had tested positive for the
virus during that time.

"There is no explanation or reason," Panda said. "We will
ask states to investigate why the number of cases is rising."

In 2009-10, the H1N1 swine flu pandemic spread from central
Mexico to 74 other countries including India, killing an
estimated 284,000 people, according to the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 2,700 died in India of swine flu between May 2009
and December 2010. Last year, India recorded 218 swine
flu-related deaths and 937 cases, down from 2013, when 699 died.

On Wednesday the government said it had placed an order to
increase the national stock of diagnostic kits to test for the
virus. Authorities are also procuring 10,000 additional masks
and 60,000 doses of the anti-viral drug Oseltamivir.

The government plans to draft guidelines for vaccination of
healthcare workers. Panda, however, dismissed reports there was
any widespread shortage of medicines to fight swine flu.

Panda said there were usually more H1N1 cases in winter and
he expected the number to drop in the coming weeks.

"It is a matter of worry, but not a matter of panic," said a
health ministry official, who did not wish to be named.
(Editing by Krista Mahr)